There have been several cases throughout history where a person has placed a curse on the town,

while in the shadow of the executioner. Daniel Keith was one of these people. Daniel was a very

large hulking man. He was also hung for a crime that he didn't commit. After Daniel's death,

no one saw his ghost, or heard his haunting mones, or even heard his footsteps. Daniel had

another way of casting a dark shadow on the town of Rutherfordton, a shadow that reminded the town

that they executed an innocent man. Tonight you will learn about the infamous shadow of Daniel Keith.

Rutherfordton is a small town in North Carolina.

This story takes place at a time when public executions were carried out on a regular basis.

Sadly, many were convicted of felonous crimes and sentenced to execution unless evidence

then is needed to even charge a person with the same crimes these days. Daniel Keith spoke on

his behalf at his trial on November 9, 1880, but no one on a jury in the small courthouse believed

a single word that he had said. His crime, murdering, and eight-year-old girl.

Her body had been found in February of the prior year. It had been a brutal murder.

She had been beaten to death with a rock her had repeatedly pounded until there was no life left

in her small bloody body. This was gruesome enough for the townspeople to seek justice,

even if it meant jumping to conclusions and avoiding reason.

Someone had reported seeing Daniel Keith near the child's home the day of the murder.

Other witnesses testified that he had been drinking that day. That's all that was needed for

Sheriff in E Walker to go to Dan's house. According to the sheriff, Dan was sober and he denied any

knowledge of the child's death. Upon searching the property, the sheriff found a bloody shirt on the

back porch. Dan explained that it was a shirt that he wore while skinny rabbits.

The sheriff did not believe Dan promptly arrested him. Dan went quietly, certain that his innocence

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